Repainting a CF trunk - Can painted CF be re-exposed?

[tbone28]

Looking at buying a used challenge trunk. It's currently painted with the "fade" on the lip, exposing just part of the CF.

My goal is to have the entire lip in CF.

Being that I'd have to repaint the trunk anyway, is it possible for the body shop to sand down the paint to re-expose the CF on the lip and have it still look good?

[THE TECH]

Should be no problem.

[tbone28]

Thanks, Matt. Just what I wanted to hear

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by tbone28

Thanks, Matt. Just what I wanted to hear

Anytime. Glad I could help!

[TRY...M3]

I would say no, bc that cf had to be sanded down and primed and I think the weave would be near immposible to restore. But then again "THE TECH" would know more, interested in finding this out tho

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by TRY...M3

I would say no, bc that cf had to be sanded down and primed and I think the weave would be near immposible to restore. But then again "THE TECH" would know more, interested in finding this out tho

The CF is clear coated. You wouldn't sand it off to paint or even to repaint. As long as they are a good shop, they should have no issue just removing the paint.

[tbone28]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

The CF is clear coated. You wouldn't sand it off to paint or even to repaint. As long as they are a good shop, they should have no issue just removing the paint.

So new trunks ship already clearcoated?

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by tbone28

So new trunks ship already clearcoated?

Yes. The CF can be re-exposed. The clear on the CF was likely scuffed so the paint would adhere and it was primered and painted. When removing the paint and primer, the body shop just needs to be careful not to remove the remainder of the original clear and epoxy on the CF. This shouldn't be hard. After the trunk is repainted, the whole thing will be re-cleared to return the gloss to the CF and provide a nice protective layer.

So yes, Matt is correct.

[tbone28]

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by tbone28

So new trunks ship already clearcoated?

Of course.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by M3PO

Yes. The CF can be re-exposed. The clear on the CF was likely scuffed so the paint would adhere and it was primered and painted. When removing the paint and primer, the body shop just needs to be careful not to remove the remainder of the original clear and epoxy on the CF. This shouldn't be hard. After the trunk is repainted, the whole thing will be re-cleared to return the gloss to the CF and provide a nice protective layer.

So yes, Matt is correct.

Most likely they didn't primer. Scuff and shoot is probable. Primer really isn't needed when there is a clear already there.

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Most likely they didn't primer. Scuff and shoot is probable. Primer really isn't needed when there is a clear already there.

Most likely. I would use a high build primer and maybe even a skim coat of body filler (followed by a sealer, body filler is porous) to take care of any small imperfections or small waves but I'm no expert so...

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by M3PO

Most likely. I would use a high build primer and maybe even a skim coat of body filler (followed by a sealer, body filler is porous) to take care of any small imperfections or small waves but I'm no expert so...

Just depends how much money you want to spend and how perfect you want it to be.